Iceland & Greenland with Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Your trip begins with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight from the UK to Keflavik International Airport. On arrival, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your elegant, Art Deco-style hotel in downtown Reykjavik. Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, spend the remainder of the day getting an initial feel for Iceland’s cosmopolitan capital city. It’s a compact, highly walkable place, with an eclectic mix of colourful corrugated iron houses, cutting-edge contemporary architecture, superb museums and an excellent variety of bars, cafes and restaurants. 

After breakfast, embark on a full-day tour of the Golden Circle region by Superjeep – a wonderful introduction to some of South Iceland’s most iconic landmarks. Your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge along a spectacular rift valley. It’s also the site of the Althingi, said to be the oldest parliament in the world. From here, you’ll continue to the Geysir Geothermal Area, where hissing fumaroles and geysers pierce the Earth’s crust. The most famous geyser, Strokkur, erupts on average every 5-10 minutes, shooting a jet of boiling water around 15-20 metres into the air. Finally, you’ll visit Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most emblematic waterfalls, and drive up to the edge of Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest ice cap, where you’ll have the opportunity to go snowmobiling. On the way back to Reykjavik, make a brief stop at the small but beautiful Faxi waterfall.

This morning, you’ll have the opportunity to experience one of Iceland’s newest and best regarded geothermal spas: the Sky Lagoon. It’s just 10 minutes outside of Reykjavik in the suburb of Kópavogur, with a main infinity pool directly overlooking the sea and framed by volcanic rock walls. As well as soaking in the steaming, mineral-rich water and perhaps enjoying a drink or two from the swim-up bar, you can also enjoy a seven-step wellness ritual, including a cold plunge, a sauna, a steam room and a body scrub.

Back in Reykjavik, you’ll be transferred to the port to board the Seven Seas Grandeur, a luxury cruise ship featuring a plethora of superb restaurants, a state-of-the-art spa, a pool, a fitness centre and numerous plush communal lounges. Familiarise yourself with your stylish and spacious balcony suite and enjoy your first gourmet dinner onboard as your voyage begins. Later on, perhaps you’ll be tempted to catch a show at the Constellation Theatre or a concert in the Observatory Lounge before bedding down for the night. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

On the north coast of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula lies the small fishing village of Grundarfjörður, set against the backdrop of Kirkjufell – perhaps Iceland’s most iconic mountain, recognisable by its distinctive conical shape, formed by glacial erosion over millions of years. The triple-pronged waterfall in front of it, Kirkjufellsfoss, perfectly completes the epic scene. You’ll have ample time here to take in the magnificent views and to explore the village, which provides an interesting insight into rural Icelandic life. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Spend a full day relaxing at sea as you leave Iceland behind, sailing west towards Greenland. Savour the delicious culinary experiences onboard, indulge in a massage or a sauna session at the spa, make use of the excellent fitness facilities and perhaps attend a lecture to learn about the Viking explorers who once sailed these waters, as well as the wildlife that inhabits the region. There is, of course, plenty of entertainment, too, whether you fancy trying your luck at the casino, enjoying a theatre production or sipping cocktails while listening to live performances by talented musicians. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Today, you’ll get your first taste of Greenland, docking in the port of Qaqortoq, one of the largest settlements in the far south of the island. With its vibrant array of brightly coloured houses dotted across its rocky hillsides, it’s a particularly photogenic example of a quintessential Greenlandic town. To learn about its history, take a trip to the Qaqortoq Museum, or opt to embark on a boat tour in search of icebergs. There’s also the opportunity to visit a local home to experience the tradition of ‘kaffemik’, a social gathering whereby people get together over coffee, tea and cake – a fabulous way to get acquainted with daily life in a remote, tight-knit Greenlandic community. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Sailing north along Greenland’s fjord-indented west coast, your next stop is Paamiut, a town of around 1,200 people, spread across a peninsula backed by towering mountain peaks. It’s home to a large population of white-tailed eagles, which you may well spot swooping across the sky, as well as one of Greenland’s most beautiful churches, built in the Norwegian stave style. Paamiut is also an excellent place to learn about the traditional methods of fishing and hunting, which have long been integral to the town’s Inuit culture and economy. Opt for a guided tour of the town, or venture out on a boat trip in search of minke whales, fin whales, humpbacks and orcas, which are frequently spotted in these waters. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

The next leg of your voyage brings you to Narsaq, a remote settlement tucked away among the fjords and jagged peaks of South Greenland. An abundance of superb hiking trails meander through the surrounding landscape, which also serves as a major hub for the region’s sheep farming industry. You may be tempted to take a stroll through the village to Narsaq Hotel for a culinary experience in which you’ll get to taste a selection of authentic local delicacies, or you might even opt to take a helicopter tour for a bird’s eye view of the dramatic scenery around Narsaq. There’s also the possibility to spot icebergs on a RIB boat tour, enabling you to get up close to these majestic natural sculptures. 

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Greenland’s southernmost town, Nanortalik, lies on a small island at the entrance to the Tasermiut Fjord, which stretches over 70 kilometres through an awe-inspiring landscape of steep, jagged granite peaks and towering cliffs that draw hikers and rock climbers from around the world. The town's name, in Greenlandic, means ‘the place with polar bears’, as polar bears do occasionally pass by on sea ice that floats down from the east coast during spring – but the chances of seeing one are low. Immerse yourself in the town’s history at the Nanortalik Museum, which contains artifacts from Inuit, Norse and Danish cultures, or venture to the nearby Qinngua Valley, home to Greenland’s only natural forest. Alternatively, take a trip to the Uunartoq Hot Springs, where you can soak in a natural rock pool with steaming water at a temperature of around 38°C.

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Today, you’ll sail along the Prince Christian Sound, a narrow body of water that stretches around 100 kilometres, cutting between the mainland of Greenland and the Cape Farewell Archipelago. It’s flanked by soaring mountains and glaciers that tumble down towards the sea, making for an endlessly scenic journey as you cruise east towards the Irminger Sea, keeping an eye out for breathtaking marine life along the way. You’ll then continue northeast, crossing the stretch of North Atlantic Ocean that separates Greenland from Iceland, with ample time to rest, recharge and reminisce about the preceding days’ adventures as you make the most of the fabulous amenities aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur.

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

You’ll arrive back in Iceland today, docking in Ísafjörður, the vibrant capital of the Westfjords region, nestled in a fjord between flat-topped mountains that protrude dramatically from the sea. It’ll feel distinctly urban, in sharp contrast to many of the destinations throughout your voyage. Take a stroll through its historic centre and you’ll pass by many colourful timber and tin-clad houses that date back to the 18th century when Ísafjörður was a busy Danish trading post, which you can learn all about at the Westfjords Heritage Museum. While you explore, be sure to stop by one of the town’s cosy cafes for a coffee and a delicious pastry, and perhaps check out the local brewery, Dokkan Brugghús.

Stay: Seven Seas Grandeur

Your voyage concludes in Reykjavik today, where you’ll disembark the Seven Seas Grandeur and transfer to Keflavik International Airport for your flight back to the UK.